Music Festival Highlight – Carmel Bach Festival

The Carmel Bach Festival is an important music festival celebrating the works of Johan Sebastian Bach, renowned composer and musician. Each year, the festival occurs in scenic Carmel, California well-regarded for its natural scenery and active arts culture. In 2014, the Carmel Bach Festival celebrates its 77th Annual Festival from July 19th August 2nd. The focus of the 2014 festival explores the connection between Italian composers and music and Bach through a multidisciplinary approach consisting of music, ideas and education.

About the Carmel Bach Festival

Established in 1935, the Carmel Bach Festival is recognized as a world-class festival featuring music and ideas inspired by the historical and contemporary influences of Bach. Events and activities include performances, rehearsals, lectures, vocal master classes, mentoring, young artists programs and conversations with performers.

Festival Venues

Opportunities to enjoy Carmel Bach Festival performances occur at many venues. The foundation showcase venue for the festival is the Sunset Center, a state-of-the-art performing arts center offering incredible acoustics, gothic architecture and 718 seats. The historic Carmel Mission Basilica founded in 1771 is one of the original 1935 settings of the Carmel Bach Festival and performances occur to this day. Concerts are not limited to Carmel-by-the-Sea destinations; other cities acting as host include Pebble Beach, Monterey, Salinas and Seaside. Venues range from small churches to large concert halls. Tickets to most performances may be purchased, a few performances are free to the public!

Special Guest Artists 2014

Each year the Carmel Bach Festival presents an impressive array of artists from internationally recognized performers to extraordinary local youth community members. In 2014, Pulitzer Prize winner and acclaimed violinist Caroline Shaw debuts her world premiere of commissioned work on July 19th -26th. London Concertmaster Peter Hanson showcases a performance of his Concertmaster Peter Hanson Presents from July 21st 28th. The world-class dueling mandolins of Mike Marshall and Caterina Lichtenberg will be featured July 23 30th. Artist Director Paul Goodwin serves as Master of Ceremonies on July 26 for the family concert featuring exceptional young performers of string quartet, woodwinds and brass quartet.

Get Involved

The Bach Carmel Festival offers opportunities for performers of all ages to further develop their musical expression and experience. Programs for young and emerging artists include the Youth Chorus, offering high school students in the Monterrey area a chance to train with a professional chorale. The Young Musicians Program invites about 20 talented students under the age of 19 to perform and work in a professional environment with auditions occurring in early spring. The Virginia Best Adams Fellowship presents participants with a 4-week series of master classes, private coaching and career mentoring from highly distinguished Baroque music professionals.

Touring to the Carmel Bach Festival

If you’re not quite ready to tour internationally with your group, The Carmel Bach Festival is a great place to “wet your feet” and get the full experience of touring with young musicians. While your evenings are spent enjoying the festival concerts, your days can be spent performing out in the local community. Contact encoretours@acis.com to request more information!

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